Reinforcing bracket for a trailer frame

Abstract

A reinforcing bracket for a trailer frame comprises a first side that bolts onto one frame member of a trailer frame, a second side that bolts onto a second member of a trailer frame, and a third side that bolts onto a flange of one or both members. Both the first side and second side comprise a plurality of dimples that nest into dimples in the trailer frame members. Each dimple has an aperture therein that corresponds to an aperture in the frame members, enabling the bracket to be bolted to the frame members. The third side of the bracket is approximately ninety degrees to both the first and second sides, and includes at least one aperture that corresponds to an aperture in a flange of one or both of the frame members.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reinforcing bracket for a trailer frame that bolts onto the trailer frame at a junction between two frame members, comprising: 
 a first side adapted to bolt to a first frame member,    a second side adapted to bolt to a second frame member, and    a third side adapted to bolt to a flange of one of said frame members, wherein: 
 said first side and said second side each include a plurality of dimples, each dimple having at least one aperture therein; and  
 said third side includes at least one aperture.  
   
     
     
         2 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , wherein said first side has two dimples.  
     
     
         3 . The bracket as described in  claim 2 , wherein said two dimples are substantially vertically stacked.  
     
     
         4 . The bracket as described in  claim 2 , wherein said second side has two dimples.  
     
     
         5 . The bracket as described in  claim 4 , wherein said bracket is adapted to fasten to the trailer frame at an angled junction of an A-frame member and a cross-member.  
     
     
         6 . The bracket as described in  claim 4 , wherein said dimples in said first side are substantially vertically stacked, and said dimples in said second side are substantially vertically stacked.  
     
     
         7 . The bracket as described in  claim 6 , wherein said bracket is adapted to fasten to the trailer frame at an angled junction of an A-frame member and a cross-member.  
     
     
         8 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , wherein said second side has two dimples.  
     
     
         9 . The bracket as described in  claim 8 , wherein said two dimples are substantially vertically stacked.  
     
     
         10 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , wherein said third side is substantially bilaminar.  
     
     
         11 . The bracket as described in  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the first side and the second side is not ninety degrees.  
     
     
         12 . The bracket as described in  claim 11 , wherein the angle between the first side and the second side is greater than ninety degrees.  
     
     
         13 . The bracket as described in  claim 11 , wherein the angle between the first side and the second side is less than ninety degrees.  
     
     
         14 . A reinforcing bracket for a trailer frame that bolts onto said trailer frame at a junction between an A-frame member and a cross-member, comprising: 
 a first side,    a second side, and    a third side, wherein: 
 said first side comprises a plurality of dimples, each dimple having an aperture therein;  
 said second side comprises a plurality of dimples, each dimple having an aperture therein;  
 said second side is at an angle of greater than ninety degrees to said first side; and  
 said third side includes at least one aperture.  
   
     
     
         15 . A bolt-together trailer frame comprising: 
 at least two longitudinal members,    at least two cross-members attached to said at least two longitudinal members by bolts,    two A-frame members each having one end fastened to said at least two longitudinal members by bolts, the other ends fastened to each other by bolts, wherein angles formed between said A-frame members and a cross-member are not ninety degrees, and    a bracket fastening an A-frame member to a cross member, the bracket comprising: 
 a first side,  
 a second side, and  
 a third side, wherein:  
 the angle between said first side and said second side is not ninety degrees; and 
 said third side includes at least one aperture.  
 
   
     
     
         16 . The trailer frame as described in  claim 15 , wherein said first and second sides of the bracket comprise a plurality of dimples, each dimple having an aperture therein.  
     
     
         17 . The trailer frame as described in  claim 15 , wherein said third side of the bracket is substantially bilaminar.  
     
     
         18 . The trailer frame as described in  claim 15 , wherein the angle between the first side of the bracket and the second side of the bracket is greater than ninety degrees.  
     
     
         19 . The trailer frame as described in  claim 15 , wherein the angle between the first side of the bracket and the second side of the bracket is less than ninety degrees.  
     
     
         20 . The trailer frame as described in  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the A-frame member and the cross member have a flange extending therefrom and the third side of the bracket is fastened to the flange.  
     
     
         21 . A bolt-together trailer frame comprising: 
 at least two longitudinal members,    at least two cross-members attached to the at least two longitudinal members by bolts, wherein at least one cross-member has a flange extending therefrom,    two A-frame members each having one end fastened to said at least two longitudinal members by bolts, the other ends fastened to each other by bolts, wherein angles formed between said A-frame members and cross-member are not ninety degrees, and    a bracket fastening an A-frame member to a cross member, the bracket comprising: 
 a first side,  
 a second side, and  
 a third side, wherein: 
 the first side includes a plurality of dimples, each dimple having an aperture therein;  
 the second side includes a plurality of dimples, each dimple having an aperture therein;  
 the angle between the first side and the second side is not ninety degrees;  
 the third side is substantially bilaminar and includes at least one aperture; and  
 the third side is fastened to the flange of the cross-member.